Nelson Fringe: The Princess of the Moon

KAGUYA-HIME (The Princess of the Moon)
Kaguya-Hime is a fusion of Kiwi and traditional Japanese puppet performance with acting, live music, narration and puppetry. It showcases a different, unique and inspiring form of theatre to Nelson's families and it embraces the diversity of our region by acknowledging and including our Asian community.

This performance shows an adaption of the traditional story, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter or Kaguya-Hime. The story of Kaguya-Hime is 1000 years old dating back to the 10th century. It tells about a mysterious tiny girl called Kaguya, who is discovered inside a glowing bamboo plant and is the tragic tale of her exile from the moon. She finds loving parents on Earth and discovers the joys and sorrows of being human. However life on Earth is temporary and she has to face the reality of returning to her original home.
The Bamboo Cutter and his wife look after the bamboo forest for the Emperor. They believe that the full moon bestows magic on the water collected overnight in the bamboo and that this water brings good health and a long life. Every night they talk, sing and play music to the moon.
The Moon? "The Moon is always looking out for you."